Thought I'd create this thread to help keep track of current and #ForeverBuffs track and field athletes over this summer, as their seasons (especially the pros) are just starting to ramp up.
To start with, the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships are taking place now in balmy Sacramento CA. Buffs that are participating have gone through their preliminary rounds, and those that have advanced are racing, all starting in less than an hour from now. The top 3 finishers of each finals' race will be slated to represent the U.S. at this year's World Championships, being held in London from August 5th - 13th. Today's races are I believe all being shown live on NBC.
How the Buffs have progressed so far in the championships and, if applicable, when the final races are (All the Buffs I know about are racing today within the next hour.)-
1) Women's 1500M. (Final's race starts at 3:12 PM MT.) Two Buff alums, Jenny Simpson and Sara Vaughn, advanced from the preliminary round, with Ms. Simpson and Ms. Vaughn finishing 1-2 in the same heat (#2).
In spite of a relatively slow start to the season, most of the prognosticators have Ms. Simpson earning one of the three qualifying spots, while it would be considered an upset if Ms. Vaughn were to do so, although she did just recently run her 1500M personal best, so hopefully is peaking at the right time.
(Note- Both current Buff Dani Jones and alum Sara Sutherland had qualifying times to participate in these trials, but neither one chose to run the preliminary. Hopefully, in both cases, it was a tactical decision and not one forced by injury.)
2) Women's steeplechase. (Final's race starts at 3:24 PM MT.) Emma Coburn is a pretty strong favorite to win this race (believe her best time is around 12 seconds better than anyone else in the field). But, as she always mentions in interviews, I'm sure the barriers, all of which can spell doom to any steeplechaser, along with an ever stronger U.S. field, will have her full attention today.
(Note- Fellow Buff alum and often time runner at the Championships Shalaya Kipp is I believe just coming back from injury, so isn't racing today. Also, Buff freshman Madie Boreman ran a Championships qualifying time in the NCAA championships, but chose not to run here.)
3) Men's 1500M. (Final race starts at 3:41 PM MT.) After qualifying for his 1st NCAA finals earlier this month, redshirt junior Ben Saarel impressively also (JUST) qualified for today's finals in the men's 1500M race. Hopefully he just has a solid run and finishes his season off strong. I'd have hoped for a chance for him maybe lowering his school record time, but with temperatures well into the 90's, and the often tactical nature of these Championship finals, I'd assume a record would be doubtful.
Note- A couple other Buffs, just graduated Jaron Thomas (in the 110M Hurdles) and Aric Van Halen (in the 3000M steeplechase) ran in the 1st rounds of those events, but didn't advance.
Various resources/ info for the championships-
Homepage - http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2017/USATF-Outdoor-Championships.aspx
Live Results - http://results.usatf.org/2017Outdoors/
Schedule - http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2017/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Schedule.aspx
To start with, the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships are taking place now in balmy Sacramento CA. Buffs that are participating have gone through their preliminary rounds, and those that have advanced are racing, all starting in less than an hour from now. The top 3 finishers of each finals' race will be slated to represent the U.S. at this year's World Championships, being held in London from August 5th - 13th. Today's races are I believe all being shown live on NBC.
How the Buffs have progressed so far in the championships and, if applicable, when the final races are (All the Buffs I know about are racing today within the next hour.)-
1) Women's 1500M. (Final's race starts at 3:12 PM MT.) Two Buff alums, Jenny Simpson and Sara Vaughn, advanced from the preliminary round, with Ms. Simpson and Ms. Vaughn finishing 1-2 in the same heat (#2).
In spite of a relatively slow start to the season, most of the prognosticators have Ms. Simpson earning one of the three qualifying spots, while it would be considered an upset if Ms. Vaughn were to do so, although she did just recently run her 1500M personal best, so hopefully is peaking at the right time.
(Note- Both current Buff Dani Jones and alum Sara Sutherland had qualifying times to participate in these trials, but neither one chose to run the preliminary. Hopefully, in both cases, it was a tactical decision and not one forced by injury.)
2) Women's steeplechase. (Final's race starts at 3:24 PM MT.) Emma Coburn is a pretty strong favorite to win this race (believe her best time is around 12 seconds better than anyone else in the field). But, as she always mentions in interviews, I'm sure the barriers, all of which can spell doom to any steeplechaser, along with an ever stronger U.S. field, will have her full attention today.
(Note- Fellow Buff alum and often time runner at the Championships Shalaya Kipp is I believe just coming back from injury, so isn't racing today. Also, Buff freshman Madie Boreman ran a Championships qualifying time in the NCAA championships, but chose not to run here.)
3) Men's 1500M. (Final race starts at 3:41 PM MT.) After qualifying for his 1st NCAA finals earlier this month, redshirt junior Ben Saarel impressively also (JUST) qualified for today's finals in the men's 1500M race. Hopefully he just has a solid run and finishes his season off strong. I'd have hoped for a chance for him maybe lowering his school record time, but with temperatures well into the 90's, and the often tactical nature of these Championship finals, I'd assume a record would be doubtful.
Note- A couple other Buffs, just graduated Jaron Thomas (in the 110M Hurdles) and Aric Van Halen (in the 3000M steeplechase) ran in the 1st rounds of those events, but didn't advance.
Various resources/ info for the championships-
Homepage - http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2017/USATF-Outdoor-Championships.aspx
Live Results - http://results.usatf.org/2017Outdoors/
Schedule - http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2017/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Schedule.aspx
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